In Mali, French Ground Troops Engage Rebels

French ground forces engaged in their first sustained clashes with al Qaeda-backed rebels in Mali on Wednesday as African and European nations weighed how to assist the military campaign.

A convoy of armored French vehicles, shipped in from Afghanistan, rode out of Mali's capital, Bamako, said Capt. Sebastien Bouillard, spokesman for the French operation in Mali. The apparent target was Diabaly, a military town that rebels fled, and where al Qaeda members said they fought French troops Wednesday. A French defense ministry...